Meat hook assembly for refrigerator cars



Nov. 8, 1960 w. E. RICHTER ErAL 2,959,389

MEAT HOOK ASSEMBLY FOR REFRIGERATOR CARS Filed Feb. ll, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 8, 1960 w. E. RICHTER ErAL 2,959,389

MEAT HOOK ASSEMBLY FOR REFRIGERATOR CARS Filed Feb. 1l, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fl" y I (D10-6:1111!- Nov. 8, 1960 w. E. RICHTER ET'AL 2,959,389

MEAT HOOK ASSEMBLY FOR REFRIGERATOR CARS Filed Feb. l1, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 MEAT HOOK ASSEMBLIQTOR REFRIGERATOR Werner E. Richter, 1-63B 14th Ave., East Paterson, NJ., and Robert Mayer, Keiwynne Road, Scarsdale, N.Y.

Filed Feb. 11, 1958, Ser. No. 714,542 12 Claims. (Cl. 24S-340) 'I'he invention described herein relates generally to hooks and more particularly to an improved meat hook assembly designed for use in refrigerated spaces.

The problems presented by meat hooks of the type currently used in refrigerator cars are discussed in the prior patent application of Werner E. Richter, Serial No. 515,641. Briefly, such problems are created by the use of hooks of simple S-shape variety wherein the upper portion is loosely positioned on an overhead rail in the .car while the other end is utilized for supporting meat,

such as a side of beef. The most serious objection to this construction is that the meat impaling point is located approximately five to six feet above the car oor, thus presenting a hazard to workers engaged in car loading and unloading operations. In an attempt to eliminate the possibility of injury after meat is transferred from the hooks, they are merely removed from the rail and ejected outwardly of the car or into a corner of the car where future contact therewith is minimized.

This action creates several distinct problems directly affecting economical car operations inasmuch as a substantial number of hooks are lost yearly, thus increasing the overall operating costs, and particularly since hook recovery practices generally are not effective. Those hooks salvaged must be steam cleaned prior to reuse, and in most cases, the impaling points must be resharpened to negate tearing of the meat when suspended thereon during the loading process.

Somewhat similar problems with respect to the hazards involved, prevail in commercial meat storage warehouses Where the hooks are permanently secured to overhead rails or wallV mounted brackets. The impaling points likewise are located at levels sufficient to permit convenient loading and unloading of meat, but since the points are directed outwardly into a passageway, the likelihood of workers accidentally engaging the sharp points is very great.

The primary object of our invention therefore, is to eliminate the disadvantages cited above and to provide a safe, economical and automatically operating hook capable of imparting safety and eiciency to the car loading and unloading operations.

In carrying out our invention, a U-shaped bracket assembly is resiliently supported on an overhead rail in the refrigerated space and is equipped with aligned openings for receiving a shaft shaped to accommodate the hook. A biasing spring associated with the hook and bracket, urges the hook automatically to a horizontal position upon removal of a meat load so as to preclude workers accidentally engagng the impaling points thereon. In order to provide accessibility of the hook for steam cleaning, sharpening of the points and other maintenance purposes, the hook is detachably fastened to the shaft in the bracket and can be changed readily by actuating simply designed parts to effect separation of the hook from the assembly.

While the sepecication concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject tates Patent() ICC matter which we regard as our invention, it is Vbelieved the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation showing a complete bracket assembly attached to a car rail and supporting a meat hook illustrated by full lines as being in a horizontal unloaded condition. The dotted lines depictthe operative or loaded position of the parts;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view in elevatiouof the bracket assembly shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on lines 3-3 of Figure 2; I

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of an aligning tube employed in the bracket assembly of Figures 1-3;

Figure 5 is a modification illustrating a slightly different construction of the bracket assembly utilized for supporting the hook;

Figure 6 is a view taken on lines 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows in perspective, a portion of a shaft employed for supporting the meat hook;

Figure 8 illustrates another modification of the invention wherein the hook biasing spring is located eX- teriorly of the bracket assembly;

Figure 9 is a view taken on lines 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure l0 is a right side view of the assembly shown in Figure 8;

Figure l1 is still another modification showing a simplitied arrangement of parts for obtaining automatic operation of the hook;

Figure l2 is a left side view of the assembly shown in Figure 1l; t

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a shaft employed for pivotally supporting the hook of Figures l1 and 1-2;

Figure 14 illustrates still another modification wherein a different type of shaft is employed for hook supporting purposes;

Figure l5 is a right side View of the assembly of Figure 14; and

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the shaft of Figures 14 and 15.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in Figures 1 through 4, a bracket assembly 20 illustrated as being attached to a rail 22 located in a refrigerated space. In the normal construction of refrigerator cars, a plurality of parallelspaced wooden rails extend longitudinally of the car and are permanently atilxed to an overhead structure designed to carry heavy loads of meat, such as sides of beef or other edible products. Although the following description is directed to utilization of the invention in refrigerator cars, it will be apparent that the teachings are applicable to refrigerated spaces generally, where problems of the type discussed in the preceding portion of the specification are found to prevail.

In carrying out the objects of the invention, each of the modifications disclosed herein incorporate structure effective in causing the hook 24 to assume a horizontal or inoperative position when not in use, as shown by the full lines in Figure l, and to permit free swinging movement of the hook to the dotted line vertical or operative position when it is desired to place meat thereon for transportation.

Referring more specifically to Figures 1-4, the bracket assembly 20 is of general U-shape configuration comprising a substantially square base 26 having a pair of upstanding arms 28 separated a distance to encompass the sides of rail 22. Attachment of the bracket assembly 20 to the rail is accomplished by placing a roller 30 of rubber, neoprene or similar resilient material, on the rail' base portion.

Upper surface and passing a bolt 32 through aligned openings in the upstanding arms and a channel 34 formed centrally in the roller 30. The function of the roller 1s to prevent sympathetic vibration of the bracket assembly parts which otherwise would occur by virtue of transmission of vibratory forces generated in the car when in motion. Other equivalent structures serving the same function may be used, as leaf springs, for example.

As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the apparatus ernployed for supporting hook 24 in the bracket assembly consists of a hollow tube 36 secured to the base 26 by a weld, as indicated at 38. Slidably mounted within the tube is a shaft 40 having at least one flat surface 42 shaped on an end thereof for accepting an end 44 of hook 24 having an opening 46 of converse design. As is evident, the parts are assembled by locating opening 46 of the hook in alignment with the tube whereupon the shaft 40 is inserted in the tube such that surface 42 engages its complementary portion formed in the hook opening. Further movement of the shaft to the left, as shown in Figure 3, permits its end to enter aperture 48 drilled in one side of base 26. This construction precludes relative movement of the hook 24 and shaft 40 so that any rotary movement of the shaft is directly reflected in corresponding angular motion in the hook.

,In order to cause the hook to assume an inoperative or unloaded horizontal position, as shown by the full lines in Figure 1, a biasing spring 50 is positioned over the tube 36 so that one free end 52 thereof engages a locking element 54 rigidly attached to a side of the The other end 56 encircles the upper end of an operating lever 58 anchored in shaft 40, as by screw threads. The spring is initially'placed under tension when its end connections are made, thereby creating a tendency to unwind in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figures l and 2. Since the spring force is selected to overcome resisting forces offered by the hook when in an unloaded condition, the latter is urged to the horizontal position when not carrying the weight of a load. A side of the base portion is cut away at 60 to accommodate hook movement to the up position.

The operating lever serves two functions, namely that of manually pulling the hook to a vertical position and for disengaging the hook from the shaft when removal from the bracket assembly is desired. To accomplish these purposes, the tube 36 is provided with axial and radial slots 62 and 64 of a size sufficient to receive the upper end of operating lever 58. As is apparent, movement of the operating lever in a clockwise direction to cause the hook to assume a vertical operable position, is permitted by slot 64 in which the lever travels during such movement.

Disengagement of hook 24 from the shaft is made possible by slot 62. In addition to being under tension, the spring also is preferably expanded so that it tends to urge lever 58 toward the bracket, thereby preventing undesirable axial movement of the shaft, particularly when the lever is aligned with slot 62. When removal of the hook from the bracket assembly is desired, the lever is aligned with slot 62 and manually pulled outwardly against action of the spring until the end of shaft 40 rides free of its mating opening in the hook, thus effecting its disengagement.

The modification of Figures and 6 primarily ditfers from that previously described in that the hook is located exteriorly of the bracket assembly while the spring is mounted therein. In lieu of providing upstanding arms, an inverted U-shaped bracket 70 encompasses the rail and extends downwardly a distance to support a separate base 26 attached thereto, as by bolts 72. A shaft 74 is supported in bearings consisting of aligned apertures 76 drilled in oppositely disposed sides of the base, and is arranged to extend outwardly a distance to receive the CJI handle end 78 of hook 24. As illustrated in Figures 5-7, a square shaped block is welded or shrunk onto the shaft for receiving the conversely shaped end of the hook so that angular movements of the shaft are reflected in the main body of the hook. The shaft carries a locking spring 80 biased to preclude shifting of the hook from the shaft after installation. This impediment offered to hook removal is overcome by merely depressing the spring into the opening provided on the hook end.

To obtain a normal biasing of the hook to the horizontal unloaded position, a spring 82, capable of overcoming the resistive forces presented by the hook to movement, encompasses the shaft portion residing within the bracket. One end 84 thereof engages a pin 86 provided on the shaft while the other end 88 is designed to fit in a notch 90 formed in a wall of base 26.

Operation of this embodiment is substantially the same as the previously disclosed species in that the spring 82 is prestressed an amount capable of rotating the hook to a horizontal position when not subjected to a load of meat. Removal of the hook for maintenance purposes is carried out by depressing spring 80 and merely pulling the hook outwardly olf its supporting block member. This design has particular application in warehouse refrigerated areas.

Turning now to the modification of Figures 8 to 10, it Will be seen that the bracket assemblyl is supported on rail 22 by a roller 30 in the same manner as shown in Figures 1-3. The hook supporting arrangement is entirely different however. The bracket 20 is Vsubstantially the same shape as that previously shown except that the opening 9S is located only in the lower portion of the left side of the bracket as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. Opening 97 formed in the opposite side extends the full height of the bracket to permit hook movement to the horizontal position. A shaft 90 extends through opposite walls of base 26 and is sescured therein, as by a weld 93, and is preferably, although not necessarily, equipped with a sleeve 92 firmly aiiixed thereon by a shrink fit. In order to simplify the means for attaching hook 24 to the shaft, the handle end 94 is bent to the same curvature as the shaft so as to provide a loose fit with accompanying unimpeded movement there- As in the previous modifications, the hook is biased to the horizontal by a spring 98. The main body of the spring encompasses sleeve 92 with one end 100 fixed in engagement with pin 102 extending transversely through the shaft. The other end 104 is appropriately bent to provide free swinging action around the bracket assembly during hook movement and has its terminal portion formed to the shape of a cradle for lifting the hook upwardly.

Reference to Figure 9 shows that the hook is initially mounted on shaft 90 by placing the handle end of the hook in openings 95 and 97 as shown, and then pulling it in a reverse direction until part 99 engages shaft 90. The hook is then rotated a full 180 to the position shown in Figure 8 and .spring end 104 is then placed in engagement with the hook for biasing it upwardly to a safe location where it is stowed during non-use. It is apparent that the hook is adapted for manual movement to an operative vertical position against the action of pre-stressed spring 98. Release of pressure restraining the hook vertically, permits it automatically to assume a safe horizontal position.

In order to prevent disengagement of the hook from shaft 90, the walls 103 provide an opening of sufficient size to prevent lateral or wobbly movement of the hook after installation. Disengagement of the hook from the shaft in a longitudinal and vertical direction is prevented by the close t of walls 105 and 106 with the curved portion of the handle end on the hook. The small tolerances `thus provided positively preclude hook disengagement from the shaft in a longitudinal, lateral or vertical direction when it is mounted in a refrigerator car, forexample, and subjected to the vibrations normally encountered during use.

When the hook is in a loaded condition and therefore in a vertical position, it can not be jolted or otherwise removed from the supporting shaft 90 because of the lack of overhead and side clearance as mentioned above.

Referring to the modification of Figures 1l-13, the bracket assembly 20 is secured to a rail 22 by roller 30 in the same manner previously described. The lower portion of the assembly comprising base 26 is equipped with apertures or holes in opposite sides which serve as bearings for shaft 110 arranged to extend therethrough. The shaft has one flat side 112 as shown in Figure 13 for mounting the handle end 114 of the hook immovably thereon and thereby precluding relative movement between these parts. Cotter key 116, or similar securing means, locks the shaft to the bracket assembly. One side of the base is cut away to allow elevating the hook to a horizontal position. This is carried out by integrally forming an extension 118 on the upper end of the bracket assembly. One end 120 of the spring shown engages an eye in the extension while the other end 122 is hooked on a similar eye 124 attached to the hook. The spring is constantly under tension for urging the hook to a horizontal position. Although the illustrated bracket assembly is of integral construction, it will be evident that it may be made of divisible parts, as shown in Figures 5 and 6 for example.

The embodiment of Figures 14-16 comprises a bracket assembly 2t) of the same construction as Figures 11 and 12, except the extension is omitted. Integral construction is shown for simplicity. The hook mounting arrangement consists of a pair of tubes 130 and 132 welded or otherwise affixed in opposite side walls of base 26. The tubes are hollow with tube 130 being closed on one end but equipped with an aperture 134 for a purpose hereinafter described. Tube 132 is open on both ends. The shaft employed for supporting hook 24 is divided in two sections 136 and 138, each being equipped with mating surfaces for jointly performing a locking function when installed in the tubes. Surface 140 also serves to mount hook 24 whose upper end is provided with an area of converse configuration.

In order to prevent axial movement of the shaft sections in the tubes, a spring 142 is positioned in tube 130 and placed under compression when the parts are assembled for operation. The biasing force necessary for urging the hook to a horizontal inoperative position comprises a pre-stressed spring 144 having one end 14'6 anchored on the bracket assembly while the other end 148 is bent to extend transversely through the shaft section 138. Tension in the spring transmits force through section 138 to hook 24 for elevating it horizontally.

Removal of the hook from the assembly is obtained by actuating a pin 150 screw threaded into section 136, in an outward direction and against spring 142. This action draws section 136 to the left, as viewed in Figure 14, thereby removing section 140 from engagement with the hook and permitting its speedy removal.

In view of the above, it will be apparent that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It therefore is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A device for supporting a load in a refrigerator car comprising a bracket adapted for attachment to an overhead support in said car. resilient means connected with said bracket and adapted for interposition between said bracket and said support for absorbing vibratory forces generated by said car during movement, a rotatable member supported in said bracket, a hook immovably fixed on said member so that angular movement of the member is directly reflected in said hook, and biasing means ata tached at one end to said bracket and its other end to said member for eifecting rotation thereof and thereby urging said hook to a horizontal position when the latter is in an unloaded condition.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring concentrically mounted over said member.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein 'a portion of said member is disengageable with said hook for effecting removal of said hook from the bracket without removing other parts therefrom.

4. A device for supporting a load in a refrigerator car comprising a bracket having an upper portion adapted for attachment to an overhead support and terminating at its lower end ina base, a rotatable and longitudinally movable member horizontally disposed in said base, a hook detachably fixed on said member and thereby incapable of relative movement therewith, and biasing means containing a force suiiicient to urge said member into contact with said hook and to overcome resistance oifered by said hook to movement to a horizontal position connected at one end to said bracket and at itsother end to said member for urging said hook to a horizontal position when the latter is in an unloaded condition.

5. A device for supporting a load in a refrigerator car comprising a bracket having upstanding arms adapted to be supported from an overhead rail in said car, resilient means in said bracket capable of absorbing vibratory forces transmitted to said bracket when the car is subjected to movement, a base comprising four interconnected walls integrally formed with said upper portion,

a horizontal member extending transversely through op' positely disposed walls in said base, a hook equipped with a sharp point on one end for receiving a load and terminating at its other end in an opening formed by walls of the hook body, a cut-out portion in one of said walls for permitting free swinging movement of said hook between horizontal and vertical positions, and a biasing spring mounted exteriorly of said bracket and having one end permanently axed to said device and its other end arranged to impart a force to the hook for urging to a horizontal unloaded position.

6. A device for supporting a load in a refrigerator car comprising a bracket having one end adapted for connection to an overhead support in said car, a vibration absorbing device positioned between said bracket and said support for absorbing vibratory forces generated by said car, said bracket including a base formed by four walls and one of said walls being equipped with a cut-out portion, a hollow tube permanently positioned in at least one of said walls and a rotatable shaft disposed in said tube, a ilat face formed on an end of said shaft and a hook having its handle end equipped with an opening shaped to the same configuration as the iiat face and mounted on said shaft, and a biasing spring connected at one end to the bracket and having its other end arranged to impart a force to the shaft for urging said hook into the area of the cut-out and elevating it to a horizontal unloaded position.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said shaft extends beyond said tube and has one end bearing in a Wall of said bracket, and said spring is mounted circumferentially on said tube.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein any operating lever is connected with said shaft for permitting manual operation of the hook between horizontal and vertical positions.

9. The combination according to claim 7 wherein said tube is equipped with interconnected axial and radial slots, an operating lever xed to said shaft and the spring and arranged for movement in said slots so that when the handle is rotated in the radial slot, a force is imparted to the shaft for moving the hook, and when the lever s moved axially against the action of said spring, an end of the shaft is moved out of said wall and the opening in the hook, thereby permitting it to be removed with dismantling other parts of the device.

10. The combination according to claim 7 wherein said shaft is divided into two parts, one of which has a at face for receiving the hook, and a second hollow tube aixed in the bearing wall for also supporting said shaft, a spring in said second tube for urging both parts of said shaft together, and a pin connected to that shaft part having the flat face so that upon outward movement thereof, the shaft parts become separated thereby permitting ready removal of the hook from the shaft.

1l. A device for supporting a load in a refrigerator car comprising a bracket having an upper portion adapted to be supported from an overhead rail in said car, resilient means in said bracket for absorbing vibratory forces transmitted thereto when the car is subjected to movement, a base comprising four interconnected walls integrally formed with said upper portion, an immovable horizontal member extending transversely through oppositely disposed walls in said base, a hook having its handle portion mounted on said member, and a cut-out portion in one of said walls for permitting free swinging movement of said hook between horizontal and vertical positions, a spring mounted on a portion of said member extending outside said walls, said spring having one end secured to the immovable member and the other end to said hook for resiliently urging the latter to a horizontal position.

12. A device for supporting a load in a refrigerator car comprising a bracket having an upper portion adapted to be supported from an overhead rail in said car, resilient means in said bracket for absorbing vibratory forces transmitted thereto when the car is subjected to movement, a base comprising four interconnected walls integrally formed with the upper portion, a horizontal member extending through and xed in oppositely disposed side walls in said base, a hook having its handle portion mounted on said member, and a cut-out portion in one of said walls for permitting free swinging movement of said hook between horizontal and vertical positions, an extension formed on the upper part of said bracket, and a biasing spring positioned exteriorly of said bracket and having one end connected to said extension and the other end to said hook for biasing the latter to a horizontal unloaded position when not in use.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS K9: 44 t y N 

